Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is frequently used when the patient comes in with a specific complaint. This will allow the doctor to focus on the problem area and treat the reason causing the complaint. This may also be used if the patient chronically has tight musculature and prefers deep pressure.

This form of massage allows the doctor to really loosen up the hypertonic (tight) musculature that is noted. Often, muscles can become shortened and tight. This will result in less range of motion from that muscle, a tight sensation and even may result in pain. A trigger point may result in the muscle.

Trigger Point Description: 1. A nodule felt in the muscle 2. The muscle may have decreased range of motion 3. Frequently causes pain when pressure is added to the point 4. This pressure may result in an expected referral pattern 5. The pressure may result in sympathetic and autonomic responses (sweating)

This type of massage is deeper to target the problem areas, including the tight muscles and any trigger points found. These deeper techniques are often interspersed with lighter techniques to sooth the area between the deeper work performed. After the treatment, patients often feel a release of the muscle resulting in more range of motion, less pain, less dysfunction, and a sense of relaxation.